This is my 3rd year that I have completed the Blogathon. And it was my easiest one, yet. (Tomorrow is our last day.) I see that planning is key to my stress level. I brainstormed loads of ideas weeks ahead of time, had certain days for certain subjects like Quotes Sunday and Guest Post Thursday […]

Welcome! A year ago I didn’t know that helping out with the blogathon would change my career direction. For 4 years, I’d been successfully writing parenting articles for regional parenting mags, raising 5 kids, and began to feel like I needed a new challenge. In the process of assisting Michelle Rafter, WordCount, I discovered the […]

A few years ago I met Sandy Coughlin through the pages of her book, The Reluctant Entertainer. Here was a woman who spoke about entertaining fears that I had but presented hospitality in such a simple, easy way. I even contacted Sandy to interview her about the subject for an article but I never wrote […]

When I was younger, I would eye other customer’s grocery items as I stood in the check out aisle. Hmmm, they don’t eat very healthy because I see convenience foods. Why can’t they just make it themselves I would muse. Today I cringe at my youthful arrogance because now I see the reason why people […]

Today I’m taking a break from 31 Days of Fearless Entertaining because Second Act.com has asked the 40’s – 50’s age group bloggers who are creating a second act in their own life to share their stories. Often I bite my tongue and hold my breath as I watch my kids struggle, stumble and find […]

Today we have a theme day to talk about five movies that inspire our blogging. Because my personal theme is parties, I picked five movies that show something about entertaining. Now, I’m not much of a movie watcher and I can’t remember many details but this theme made me think about my few favorite ones. […]

So it’s time to think about a theme for your gathering. Themes can be anything you want them to be. I think a fun idea would be using a color. And since we are going into the summer, you could pick red, white and blue or just two colors, like tangerine and yellow. Tangerine Tango […]

In the beginning as parents, we make it about us. What our kids do – what they achieve – what they even wear. But as they mature and we mature as parents, we realize that their choices are somewhat of a reflection of how we trained them, but in the long run, we see that […]

For people who were raised with hospitality, you probably don’t understand anxiety about having friends over. I’m not talking about having your best friend over for coffee and one more chocolate chip cookie. I’m talking “setting a date and actually cleaning the house” type of party. Well, I’m proud to announce I have set a […]

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